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“Swap
Apex Reviews wrote this review Thursday, January 8, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Sam Moffie
ISBN: 9780978606206
UEL Enterprises
Reviewed By Jennifer Walker
Two couples – but each is with the wrong spouse. Although the premise of Swap is the story of two couples who trade spouses, children, and houses, in actuality that has very little to do with the book. Swap is really more of a study of the four people involved in the trade, with Sheldon Marsh, a minor league baseball player who once made it in the big leagues, at the center. There is really very little discussion about the swap itself (including some intriguing suggestions that the swap was a newsworthy event), although it certainly covers why the swap is made.
Sheldon is married to Eleanor, who is resentful of his affection for his mother and his disability (he is deaf in one ear). Although their marriage starts out well, they soon become miserable. Lucy is married to Tom, Sheldon's best friend and teammate, but Tom is a philanderer and womanizer. Sheldon falls in love with Lucy, Eleanor finds Tom exciting, and the swap is made.
Readers who prefer a linear story will not find it here, as the narrative jumps forward and backward in time throughout the book; however, you soon come to realize that the timeline does not matter because getting to know the characters is the true point of the book. While this may be confusing at first, once you let go of the need for a beginning-to-end story you can focus on Mr. Moffie's rich characters – which are caricatures – yet so real you feel as though you really know them by the end of the book.
Readers with delicate sensibilities will want to note that there are some explicit scenes and raunchy language in the book. It is a raucous tale that will both make you laugh and repulse you at the same time, and it will certainly entertain you. Last but not least, be sure to read the epilogue at the end for some amusing "where are they now" updates on all the characters.”
“This book reads like a very entertaining Richard Russo novel (Empire Falls). Sheldon Marsh is the main character whose entire life has been influenced by his mother and her love for movies. Sheldon and his mother spend their waking hours likening the real world to movies they have seen. When they are not doing this they are seeking advice from their favorite bartender they have nicknamed The Ralph.
Katamaster wrote this review Monday, September 8, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Sheldon a former major league pitcher, has issues with his wife and comes up with the brilliant idea of changing wives with his best friend Tom, who is also a pitcher that plays with Sheldon on the Indians minor league team. The author does a brilliant job of giving separate character studies of Tom and the two player's wives (Elizabeth and Lucy). Each one has their own issues.
I really enjoyed this entertaining and sometimes hilarious look at another small town with wacky things happening. The author also gives a listing of each character at the end with what happened with the rest of their life (like the end of Animal House). I have just received the author's second book and look forward to another great read!
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